Home to the World

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Multi-Talented Cousins

Last month I wrote about my cousin, Mumsie (who lives in Nova Scotia), and I showed pictures of a few of her many talents.

Here Mumsie and I are visiting my cousin, Beth, and her husband, Art. Beth makes beautiful quilts and I'll write about her in my next post. Today I want to introduce you to Art.

Art is notorious for his large repertoire of jokes. Frankly, I don't know how he remembers them all, but the jokes just keep coming. For example...

See all these violins? Art made them. He plays them, too. He's a multi-talented man.

Making a violin takes the right kind of wood...

...and skill and lots of time. Art has all three!

Here is the end result. Beautiful isn't it? Art made the guitar, too.

All of Art's instruments have a lifetime guarantee. If you want to know more, you can contact him in Centreville, Nova Scotia at 902-678-7423. Tell him I sent you, OK?

Love,

Homestay Mama

Sunday, October 18, 2009

I had a wonderful and relaxing trip to Nova Scotia in Canada, staying with my cousin, June. Actually she feels more like a mom to me and I call her Mumsie. I also visited with many second cousins that I'll tell you about in later posts.

At Mumsie's home, she made sure I stuck to a regular schedule. We got up early, went for a walk, fed the goldfish...

...had our morning devotions and ate breakfast all before 8:00 a.m. We had our biggest meal of the day (dinner) at 11:45 a.m. and a small supper at 6:00 p.m. By 9:30 p.m. we were heading to bed. With Mumsie's help I didn't cheat on my diet, and actually lost a little weight while I was there--even had to buy a size smaller jeans!

In between meals we went shopping, visited places that held family memories (my grandfather was born in Nova Scotia), and...

...played games of Sequence and Hand and Foot.

The change of pace was therapeutic. It was a total contrast to the life I lead in busy Seattle!

It was a blessing to be totally relaxed. I played the piano a lot, and had time to read three novels!

See all those dolls surrounding me? Mumsie made them all. See the picture of Jesus on her wall? She painted that. She is one very talented lady. In future posts I'll show you more of her talents.

But, as soon as my feet touched Seattle soil, I was back into the rat race. I got home at midnight and by 8:00 a.m. I was back at my job.

Never-the-less, I'm thankful for my extended family and the wonderful time I had in Nova Scotia.

Love,

Homestay Mama

Monday, September 28, 2009

I'm Leaving!

But only for 2 weeks! I'll be visiting extended family in Nova Scotia. I won't have access to a computer, so will have to wait and share pictures with you......if I have time........ after I get back on October 14th.

I'm sorry I haven't written in a long while--the blame lies squarely with my work schedule which has ramped up to more than 30 hours per week. I used to read and write blogs in the evening hours after cooking dinner for my Homestay students--after I'd finished cleaning up the kitchen. But now I've had to become a morning person, so no more staying up late! Then on weekends I play the catch-up-game. I can see all you working moms nodding your heads. Yessiree! You play that game too, don't you!

I've also become more involved at church--playing the piano for the morning service once a month, plus playing for the services at a local nursing home two Sundays per month. Then add in weekly Bible Study, Prayer Meeting and the Christmas program practice. Seems like I'm never home anymore!

So much for being retired!

But, I am missing all of you very much! So when I get back, I'll keep trying to find snatches of time when I can read your blogs, make comments and, if I'm lucky, write something in my own blog.

But right now I've got to get back to packing.

Love,

Homestay Mama

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Something Stupid!

I've used this contraption for many years! It works great. You put your briquets in the top section. You crumple and stuff newspaper in the bottom section. Then you strike a match and light the newspaper. Soon you'll have hot glowing coals. Ready for the steak that's been marinating in the fridge all day. Yum-yum!

Unless you do something stupid! Like being lazy and putting the contraption on the top rack of your grill. And then pounding a loose board back into place while you wait for the coals to get hot. And, making the whole deck vibrate in the process!

I swear I didn't pound that hard! But darned if that contraption didn't bounce right off the grill and flip upside down on the deck, spilling hot coals everywhere! It happened so fast!

We haven't had rain in a coon's age. Temperatures have been in the high 90's. The deck was tinder-dry and it took mere seconds to start burning!

I dashed down the stairs, grabbed the garden hose, dragged it back up and doused the hot coals--only to turn around and notice one stray briquet burning away behind me! Yikes!

So I doused the entire deck! Several times!

And I learned my lesson! Put the contiraption on the lower rack INSIDE the grill. Hang the hose next to the grill BEFORE lighting the briquets! And for crying out loud--save the deck repairs for LATER!

I shudder to think what could have happened.

Thankfully it didn't!

Love,

Homestay Mama

Saturday, July 18, 2009

TODAY IS HYUN WOOK's BIRTHDAY!

Hyun Wook is back in Korea now, but he has the distinction of being the homestay student who lived in my house the longest--6 years--from 2002 to 2008. He came to Washington, learned English at a local community college, went on to get his A.A. degree from that same college, then transferred to the University of Washington and finished his B.S. degree in computer science.

Here is a picture of him soon after he moved to my home.

Hyun Wook and Teddy Bear. Teddy Bear adored Hyun Wook and thought he belonged to him

Here is a picture taken the day I said goodbye to Hyun Wook at SeaTac Airport six years later. If you wonder why my smile is pained, my nose is red and my eyes are brimming with tears, well, quite frankly, I felt like I was losing my son!
Six years is a long time and I have so many pictures and so many memories, I can't even begin to share them all. However, the highlight was his parent's first visit in 2005. They stayed in my guest room and we had a wonderful time visiting and getting to know each other. They are among the best international parents I think I have ever met!
His mom enjoyed making Korean meals for her son, and Hyun Wook was as happy as a lark eating his mom's home cooking again. I quickly understood why. She was an awesome cook. Kim Chee? If his mom makes it, I'll eat it! Store-bought kim-chee absolutely pales in comparison to hers.
Here is a Korean meal Hyun Wook's mom made for us. I don't remember the names of the different dishes, but I do know it was all very delicious. Quite frankly, I enjoy eating food from other countries much more than I enjoy American food.
Hyun Wook was an amazing student. When he transferred to the University of Washington, they were turning away a lot of students who wanted into the computer science program. Only those with very high GPA's could get in.
Hyun Wook, his mom withthe University of Washington mascot--the Husky. (Go Huskies!)

Hyun Wook easily made the grade and was accepted without any problems. And, he graduated with honors!
We all still miss you very much, Hyun Wook. It just hasn't been the same here without you.
Hyun Wook and Athena.

We hope you are having a happy birthday in Korea this year.
Happy Birthday, Hyun Wook!

Love,

Homestay Mama